Villa Rosa: giving hope to over 14,000 young, single, pregnant women and their children for over 110 years
What Do We Do?
What Is The Impact Of What We Do?
How Do We Do It?
Who Uses Our Program?
Villa Rosa’s Services:
INTAKE AND ADMISSIONS
Villa Rosa provides pre-natal services and supports in a safe and nurturing environment to women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Any pregnant woman or new mother may access our services free of charge. Some programs are also available to women who are not residents of Villa Rosa.
Please feel free to call the Intake Social Worker at Villa Rosa for information or tours at 786-5741, extension 223.
THE POST NATAL HOUSE
The Post Natal House provides support and accommodation to eight women and their babies (under the age 18 months) for three to twelve months while they are preparing to live independently.
PARENT-CHILD CENTRE
The Parent-Child Centre focuses on mother-child attachment and infant stimulation. Consistent, high quality care is provided for babies by staff and volunteers whose mothers are convalescing or in school and programs. A low adult-child ratio has been maintained by staff, students and volunteers, which allows staff to support the moms through parenting skills and role modeling.
TODDLER ROOM
The Toddler Room gives babies the chance to explore their world in a safe, stimulating environment using their newly acquired abilities and develop independence while their moms attend school and programs.
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
The Breastfeeding Support Program has been successful in substantially increasing both the number of women who choose to breastfeed their babies, as well as the length of time they continue to breastfeed. Support is offered to new moms in the hospital to help initiate breastfeeding and is available 24/7 for questions and problem-solving.
MEDICAL CARE
Villa Rosa provides physical and emotional support to each resident throughout her pregnancy and postpartum period. Assistance is given to connect with appropriate medical professionals (midwife, doctor, Public Health Nurse, etc.) in the community. A variety of pre- and post-natal educational sessions are held to discuss nutrition, fetal development, emotional and physical changes in the mother, childbirth, newborn care and sexuality. They are done in regular weekly sessions, and on an individual basis when needed. A labour companion session allows the mother and her chosen support person to learn about the labour and birth. Volunteer labour companions are available, if needed.
FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM
The Follow-Up Social Worker assists women in accessing programs in the community, offers support, counseling, crisis management, budgeting and information on child development and parenting issues. The Follow-Up Program supports women and their children in the community who are former residents of Villa Rosa. Participation in the Follow-Up Program is voluntary.
Villa Rosa’s Programming:
SCHOOL
Villa Rosa’s three classrooms are part of the Interdivisional Student Services administered by the Winnipeg School Division. They provide educational programming to students who are residents at Villa Rosa, living in our Post Natal Residence, or Day Students from the community. Instruction is available in major subjects from elementary to Grade 12.
Pre-natal classes, aquasize, child development, pottery and Aboriginal Studies have been approved to be used toward school credits in Life Skills and/or Family Studies. A two-credit course in Home Economics (Sewing) is also available. An individualized program is planned with each student.
The Villa Rosa Endowment Fund provides scholarships each year to graduates from Villa Rosa who are continuing their education or training after Grade 12. These scholarships contribute to the future success and self-sufficiency of our young families.
MOM’S GROUP
Mom’s Group is held one morning a week over breakfast and is self-directed in its content, covering topics such as the experience of being a mom, child development, problem-solving and resources available in the community.
AQUASIZE
Villa Rosa offers active and enjoyable aquasize classes at the Misericordia Health Centre pool one morning a week.
YOGA
Villa Rosa offers classes for both pre-natal and postnatal moms in yoga techniques that assist with relaxation, meditation, labour preparation and post partum toning.
EARLY LITERACY
Early Literacy Programs include Rhyme Time, Mother Goose and Rock and Read, during which moms, babies and prenatal residents share songs, rhymes, stories, snacks and conversation. Rock and Read also involves creating a handcrafted storybook. Both programs stress the importance of implementing early literacy practices.
SMOKING AWARENESS
Smoking Awareness provides residents who express a desire to quit or cut down on smoking an opportunity to explore and understand tobacco and other addictions. With the support of the group, participants work together to achieve their goals.
SPEAKERS
Speakers from a variety of community agencies are invited to Villa Rosa once every two weeks to present information to our residents about their programs and resources. Topics include addictions and the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, sexually transmitted infections, family legal issues, The Children’s Advocate, car seat use and adoption.
DECISION MAKING
Decision Making provides basic information on how we make decisions. The program takes the residents through the process used to make simple decisions such as what to wear, to a more complex process needed for making decisions about their future. It also provides information on adoption and parenting, supporting those who choose adoption, the adoption process, healthy relationships and maintaining a balanced life.
ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP
For those considering or have decided to place their child for adoption, this group provides an opportunity to talk through feelings of grief and loss with others going through the same experience. It fosters a peer support group among residents at Villa Rosa who are choosing this option.
ANGER MANAGEMENT
Anger is sadness turned emotionally inward. The goal of the Anger Management Program is to bring about an awareness and an understanding of anger, including what anger is, ways one may have expressed anger in the past, and healthy ways one could express anger constructively in the future. This gives our residents the opportunity to make some personal changes and to create a stronger future.
PARENTING THE NEWBORN
Parenting the Newborn provides information, builds confidence and includes hands-on experience to pre-natal women about bathing baby, sterilizing, stimulation, ways to interpret and respond to crying, breastfeeding and safety.
NOBODY'S PERFECT AND BEING A PARENT
The goal of Nobody’s Perfect and Being a Parent is to empower moms with positive parenting techniques. These programs explore safety issues, health care, nutrition, child development and behaviour of babies from newborn to 2 years old.
BUDGETING AND NUTRITION
The objective of Budgeting and Nutrition is to teach participants about consumer skills, budgeting, nutrition, grocery shopping, apartment guidelines and hazardous products.
COOKING PROGRAM
A hands-on program where participants learn about nutrition, basic meal preparation, how to follow a recipe, and how to prepare tasty, nutritious food on a budget.
SAVING CIRCLE PROGRAM
This program helps to build capacity to manage finances through a money management program where participants’ savings are matched to assist with planned household or educational purchases.
SPIRITUALITY
Services celebrating Mother’s Day, Christmas and other special days take into consideration the experiences of the Villa Rosa family and the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of the population we serve. Clergy from different faith backgrounds are invited to participate with us.
- Provide a safe place to live during and after pregnancy
- Counselling and life skills training
- Opportunities to learn a healthy lifestyle
- Offer an education program to get back to or stay in school
- Provide access to community services such as midwives, the medical system, and elders
What Is The Impact Of What We Do?
- Healthy pregnant women give birth to healthy babies
- Offer the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and abuse
- Over 90% of Villa Rosa babies weigh over the recommended healthy birth weight —the best indicator of future health and wellness.
- Young mothers stay in school; the beginning of a path to self-sufficiency
- Breastfeeding rates at Villa Rosa higher than the national average
- Prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; leading to a more productive life that is less likely to be dependent on our health and social systems
How Do We Do It?
- Mothers live in an alcohol- and drug-free environment
- Good nutrition
- 24-hour breastfeeding support
- On-site school with three teachers
- Counselling and programming available in a supportive, non-judgmental environment
- On site pre-natal classes
Who Uses Our Program?
- Over 450 women annually are referred to us, access the residence, post natal house and follow-up programs
- 73% of women at Villa Rosa are of First Nations (63%) and Metis (10%) descent
Villa Rosa’s Services:
INTAKE AND ADMISSIONS
Villa Rosa provides pre-natal services and supports in a safe and nurturing environment to women who are pregnant or have recently given birth. Any pregnant woman or new mother may access our services free of charge. Some programs are also available to women who are not residents of Villa Rosa.
Please feel free to call the Intake Social Worker at Villa Rosa for information or tours at 786-5741, extension 223.
THE POST NATAL HOUSE
The Post Natal House provides support and accommodation to eight women and their babies (under the age 18 months) for three to twelve months while they are preparing to live independently.
PARENT-CHILD CENTRE
The Parent-Child Centre focuses on mother-child attachment and infant stimulation. Consistent, high quality care is provided for babies by staff and volunteers whose mothers are convalescing or in school and programs. A low adult-child ratio has been maintained by staff, students and volunteers, which allows staff to support the moms through parenting skills and role modeling.
TODDLER ROOM
The Toddler Room gives babies the chance to explore their world in a safe, stimulating environment using their newly acquired abilities and develop independence while their moms attend school and programs.
BREASTFEEDING SUPPORT
The Breastfeeding Support Program has been successful in substantially increasing both the number of women who choose to breastfeed their babies, as well as the length of time they continue to breastfeed. Support is offered to new moms in the hospital to help initiate breastfeeding and is available 24/7 for questions and problem-solving.
MEDICAL CARE
Villa Rosa provides physical and emotional support to each resident throughout her pregnancy and postpartum period. Assistance is given to connect with appropriate medical professionals (midwife, doctor, Public Health Nurse, etc.) in the community. A variety of pre- and post-natal educational sessions are held to discuss nutrition, fetal development, emotional and physical changes in the mother, childbirth, newborn care and sexuality. They are done in regular weekly sessions, and on an individual basis when needed. A labour companion session allows the mother and her chosen support person to learn about the labour and birth. Volunteer labour companions are available, if needed.
FOLLOW-UP PROGRAM
The Follow-Up Social Worker assists women in accessing programs in the community, offers support, counseling, crisis management, budgeting and information on child development and parenting issues. The Follow-Up Program supports women and their children in the community who are former residents of Villa Rosa. Participation in the Follow-Up Program is voluntary.
Villa Rosa’s Programming:
SCHOOL
Villa Rosa’s three classrooms are part of the Interdivisional Student Services administered by the Winnipeg School Division. They provide educational programming to students who are residents at Villa Rosa, living in our Post Natal Residence, or Day Students from the community. Instruction is available in major subjects from elementary to Grade 12.
Pre-natal classes, aquasize, child development, pottery and Aboriginal Studies have been approved to be used toward school credits in Life Skills and/or Family Studies. A two-credit course in Home Economics (Sewing) is also available. An individualized program is planned with each student.
The Villa Rosa Endowment Fund provides scholarships each year to graduates from Villa Rosa who are continuing their education or training after Grade 12. These scholarships contribute to the future success and self-sufficiency of our young families.
MOM’S GROUP
Mom’s Group is held one morning a week over breakfast and is self-directed in its content, covering topics such as the experience of being a mom, child development, problem-solving and resources available in the community.
AQUASIZE
Villa Rosa offers active and enjoyable aquasize classes at the Misericordia Health Centre pool one morning a week.
YOGA
Villa Rosa offers classes for both pre-natal and postnatal moms in yoga techniques that assist with relaxation, meditation, labour preparation and post partum toning.
EARLY LITERACY
Early Literacy Programs include Rhyme Time, Mother Goose and Rock and Read, during which moms, babies and prenatal residents share songs, rhymes, stories, snacks and conversation. Rock and Read also involves creating a handcrafted storybook. Both programs stress the importance of implementing early literacy practices.
SMOKING AWARENESS
Smoking Awareness provides residents who express a desire to quit or cut down on smoking an opportunity to explore and understand tobacco and other addictions. With the support of the group, participants work together to achieve their goals.
SPEAKERS
Speakers from a variety of community agencies are invited to Villa Rosa once every two weeks to present information to our residents about their programs and resources. Topics include addictions and the prevention of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, sexually transmitted infections, family legal issues, The Children’s Advocate, car seat use and adoption.
DECISION MAKING
Decision Making provides basic information on how we make decisions. The program takes the residents through the process used to make simple decisions such as what to wear, to a more complex process needed for making decisions about their future. It also provides information on adoption and parenting, supporting those who choose adoption, the adoption process, healthy relationships and maintaining a balanced life.
ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP
For those considering or have decided to place their child for adoption, this group provides an opportunity to talk through feelings of grief and loss with others going through the same experience. It fosters a peer support group among residents at Villa Rosa who are choosing this option.
ANGER MANAGEMENT
Anger is sadness turned emotionally inward. The goal of the Anger Management Program is to bring about an awareness and an understanding of anger, including what anger is, ways one may have expressed anger in the past, and healthy ways one could express anger constructively in the future. This gives our residents the opportunity to make some personal changes and to create a stronger future.
PARENTING THE NEWBORN
Parenting the Newborn provides information, builds confidence and includes hands-on experience to pre-natal women about bathing baby, sterilizing, stimulation, ways to interpret and respond to crying, breastfeeding and safety.
NOBODY'S PERFECT AND BEING A PARENT
The goal of Nobody’s Perfect and Being a Parent is to empower moms with positive parenting techniques. These programs explore safety issues, health care, nutrition, child development and behaviour of babies from newborn to 2 years old.
BUDGETING AND NUTRITION
The objective of Budgeting and Nutrition is to teach participants about consumer skills, budgeting, nutrition, grocery shopping, apartment guidelines and hazardous products.
COOKING PROGRAM
A hands-on program where participants learn about nutrition, basic meal preparation, how to follow a recipe, and how to prepare tasty, nutritious food on a budget.
SAVING CIRCLE PROGRAM
This program helps to build capacity to manage finances through a money management program where participants’ savings are matched to assist with planned household or educational purchases.
SPIRITUALITY
Services celebrating Mother’s Day, Christmas and other special days take into consideration the experiences of the Villa Rosa family and the diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences of the population we serve. Clergy from different faith backgrounds are invited to participate with us.